Capello sacked Terry to preserve team unity ahead of World Cup

London, Feb 6(ANI): England manager Fabio Capello stripped John Terry of the national team's captaincy to preserve the unity of the dressing room ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Terry was dismissed in a brief face-to-face meeting at Wembley over his affair with an ex-girlfriend of left-back Wayne Bridge.

The 29-year-old's position had been in doubt since it emerged a week ago that he had conducted a four-month affair with Vanessa Perroncel.

Capello had spent a week considering the situation from Switzerland, where he was recovering from knee surgery, and returned to London on Thursday having decided that Terry's position was untenable.

In a meeting that lasted no longer than half an hour, Terry was told by Capello that he was removing the armband in the interests of the squad.

Capello is understood to have reached the view that the betrayal of trust demonstrated by Terry's affair with Perroncel, and the distracting publicity it has attracted, risked destabilizing the team.

"After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry," The Telegraph quoted Capello, as saying in a official statement.

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice," he added.

Capello did not name Terry's successor, but he said he would promote the vice-captain, Rio Ferdinand, and that the designated "No 3", Steven Gerrard, would step up to become deputy.